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Introduction

The unaccompanied Nunc dimittis, H127, was written in 1915 and remained in manuscript form until 1979 when a published edition appeared, revised by the composer’s daughter, Imogen Holst. For soprano and tenor soloists and unaccompanied eight-part choir, the piece was written for Richard Terry, then organist of Westminster Cathedral. It was first performed liturgically on Easter Sunday, 1915, after which it was totally forgotten. The first performance of the revised version was given by the BBC Singers under Stephen Wilkinson on 11 June 1974 in Framlington Church.

Holst was passionate about the music of Byrd and Palestrina, which is clearly shown here in the modal writing, and the way the male and female voices of the choir answer each other antiphonally as, for example, at the words ‘Lumen ad revelationem gentium’. The piece was originally composed in B flat, although for the revised version recorded here the music was transposed down a semitone to A. It makes a fitting conclusion to this recital of wonderful but little-known music whose current neglect is as baffling as it is inexcusable.

Recordings

Hyperion’s series of St Paul’s recordings is graced by an addition dedicated to music for Epiphany. The programme embraces music from the sixteenth to the twentieth century, from Bach to Bingham, and includes many long-established favourites by We ...» More

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'A wonderful programme. Westminster Cathedral Choir excite, enthral and electrify under both James O'Donnell and his predecessor David Hill. It would make an ideal gift for any lover of the tradition' (Cathedral Music)

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace
according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation.
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people.
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles,
and to be the glory of thy people Israel.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.

Gustav Holst (1874–1934) was of Swedish ancestry, the son of Theodor von Holst who taught the harp and the piano from his home in Cheltenham. Gustav began composing at an early age—although his father did not encourage this—and, after studying with Stanford at the Royal College of Music, he became a trombonist, touring with the Carl Rosa Opera Company. In 1905 he became music master at St Paul’s Girls’ School, Hammersmith, and in 1907 music director at Morley College. He held both these posts until his death. He was also appointed to posts at the Royal College of Music and at University College, Reading. He was also a visiting lecturer in composition at Harvard University and was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal in 1930 and the Howland Memorial Prize from Yale University.

Holst’s contact with church music was not extensive and he was certainly not a church composer; his other interests included learning Sanskrit to know more of Hindu literature and philosophy as well as reading about the space-time continuum.

The eight-part Nunc dimittis was written in 1915 at the request of Richard Terry, who was then organist of Westminster Cathedral. It was first performed there on Easter Sunday in the same year, but did not enter the repertoire. The original manuscript disappeared and emerged as a part-autograph score some years later. It was edited and revised by Imogen Holst and given its first concert performance in Framlingham Church on 11 June 1974 as part of the 27th Aldeburgh Festival.

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace
according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation.
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people.
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles,
and to be the glory of thy people Israel.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace
according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation.
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people.
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles,
and to be the glory of thy people Israel.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.